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Thread Bank Receives FDIC’s Last Execution Action

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Thread Bank Receives FDIC's Last Execution Action

2024 is quickly becoming the summer of consent orders for smaller banks.

This is because, with the news Friday (June 28) based in Tennessee Discussion Bancorp is now the last financial institution (FI) to rejoin the Federal Deposit Insurance CompanyFDIC oversight and management of operational, compliance and strategic risks arising from third-party collaborations are of primary importance to both banks and their FinTech partners.

The FDIC’s enforcement actions are typically made public on the last Friday of the month, and the order issued against Thread, a well-known bank that is a partner of dozens of fintechs, is unique in that it explicitly calls out the bank’s Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Loan-as-a-Service (LaaS) programs.

Dated May 21, the order requires Thread Bank to implement a series of remedies without admitting or denying unsafe or unsound banking practices. The remedies include establishing a more comprehensive third-party risk management program and establishing enhanced due diligence, monitoring, and exit planning for Thread’s fintech partners. The requirement reflects the regulator’s growing focus on banks’ relationships with technology companies.

“Within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank’s BaaS and LaaS program policies and procedures shall be accurately and fully documented, addressing, at a minimum, third-party partner and customer approval requirements, due diligence processes, growth and stress modeling, ongoing AML/CFT compliance monitoring, and measures to wind down third-party lines of business, including FinTech partners,” the FDIC wrote.

FinTech and BaaS by Thread partner to include Unit, through which it is a supplier for Relay, Toolbox, Sequin, Currence, Arpari and many other platforms.

“When vetting potential fintech clients, both Thread and Unit prioritize maintaining a strong focus on compliance and oversight,” Unit he wrote in a 2023 blog post.

Neither Unit nor Thread immediately responded to PYMNTS’s request for comment.

to know more: Payments executives say Banking-as-a-Service players have forgotten the banking part

FinTech risk in financial supply chains

Navigating the complex web of financial regulations is a daunting task for any company, especially FinTech startups with limited resources. By partnering with established banks, FinTech companies can rely on their partners’ robust regulatory frameworks, reducing the burden of compliance.

That, at least, was the hope of BaaS: a shared compliance model that allows FinTechs to operate within the constraints of regulatory requirements while focusing on innovation and growth. But the way things have unfolded so far hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

It was just one year ago (June 6, 2023) that the FDIC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively, the agencies) issued their final decision guide ON risk management associated with relationships with third parties.

Since then, the fallout of Synapsesit’s chaotic failure has severely tested the interconnection of the BaaS and FinTech landscape. Adding insult to injury, Synapse’s major banking partner, Evolve, last week (June 26) right away a major cyber attack, putting its risk controls under the spotlight.

“THE regulators I’m awake now”, Threaded CEO Mr. McCarthy he told PYMNTS. “Too many people are focused on the ‘as a service’ part — but they’ve ‘undermined’ the banking part, if at all… if you’re going to play in that space, I would say if you fail in banking, service doesn’t matter.”

to know more: Synapse’s downfall provides harsh lessons for its B2B partners

When the medium falls out of the middleware

PYMNTS Intelligence found last summer that 65% of banks and credit unions have entered into at least one FinTech partnership in the last three years, with 76% of banks considering FinTech partnerships necessary to meet customer expectations. And a full 95% of banks are focused on using partnerships to improve their digital product offerings.

And Thread Bancorp, which was previously known as Civis, already had a history of regulatory actions. The company’s recent FinTech partnerships have allowed it to grow rapidly, from less than $100 million to more than $720 million from the end of 2020 to Q1’24, based on FDIC call reports.

“With complex ecosystems, you have a higher advantage number of partners than you may have had historically” in the past, Larson McNeilCo-Head of Digital Markets and Ecosystems at JP Morgan Paymentshe told PYMNTS. This creates new considerations for the corporate treasury function, including managing those partners and counterparty risk.

The Thread Bank case could serve as a bellwether for how regulators are addressing the intersection of traditional banking and fintech. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the key to leveraging the BaaS model lies in fostering strong, transparent, and mutually beneficial relationships between banks and fintech firms. In this way, they can collectively drive the future of banking toward greater inclusivity, efficiency, and innovation.



See more in: Baas, banking, banking regulation, Banking as a Service, F.D.I.C., Federal Deposit Insurance Company, financial regulation, Financial technology, fintech partnerships, News, partnerships, PIMNTI news, Bancorp Discussion, wire bank

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We are the editorial team of FinCrypt, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on FinCrypt, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

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Fintech

US Agencies Request Information on Bank-Fintech Dealings

FinCrypt Staff

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Summer Trading Network 2016

Federal banking regulators have issued a statement reminding banks of the potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to provide bank deposit products and services.

The agencies support responsible innovation and banks that engage in these arrangements in a safe and fair manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements may offer benefits, supervisory experience has identified a number of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer concerns with the management of these arrangements. The statement details potential risks and provides examples of effective risk management practices for these arrangements. Additionally, the statement reminds banks of existing legal requirements, guidance, and related resources and provides insights that the agencies have gained through their oversight. The statement does not establish new supervisory expectations.

Separately, the agencies requested additional information on a broad range of arrangements between banks and fintechs, including for deposit, payment, and lending products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of arrangements between banks and fintechs and effective risk management practices.

The agencies are considering whether to take additional steps to ensure that banks effectively manage the risks associated with these different types of arrangements.

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What changes in financial regulation have impacted the development of financial technology?

FinCrypt Staff

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Block Telegraph Staff

Exploring the complex landscape of global financial regulation, we gather insights from leading fintech leaders, including CEOs and finance experts. From the game-changing impact of PSD2 to the significant role of GDPR in data security, explore the four key regulatory changes that have reshaped fintech development, answering the question: “What changes in financial regulation have impacted fintech development?”

  • PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
  • GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
  • Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
  • GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology

When it comes to regulatory impact on fintech development, nothing comes close to PSD2. This EU regulation has created a new level playing field for market players of all sizes, from fintech startups to established banks. It has had a ripple effect on other markets around the world, inspiring similar regulatory frameworks and driving global innovation in fintech.

The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the EU law in force since 2018, has revolutionized the fintech industry by requiring banks to provide third-party payment providers (TPPs) with access to payment services and customer account information via open APIs. This has democratized access to financial data, fostering the development of personalized financial instruments and seamless payment solutions. Advanced security measures such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) have increased consumer trust, pushing both fintech companies and traditional banks to innovate and collaborate more effectively, resulting in a dynamic and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.

The impact of PSD2 has extended beyond the EU, inspiring similar regulations around the world. Countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada have launched their own open banking initiatives, spurred by the benefits seen in the EU. PSD2 has highlighted the benefits of open banking, also prompting US financial institutions and fintech companies to explore similar initiatives voluntarily.

This has led to a global wave of fintech innovation, with financial institutions and fintech companies offering more integrated, personalized and secure services. The EU’s leadership in open banking through PSD2 has set a global standard, promoting regulatory harmonization and fostering an interconnected and innovative global financial ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the EU’s PSD3 proposals and Financial Data Access (FIDA) regulations promise to further advance open banking. PSD3 aims to refine and build on PSD2, with a focus on improving transaction security, fraud prevention, and integration between banks and TPPs. FIDA will expand data sharing beyond payment accounts to include areas such as insurance and investments, paving the way for more comprehensive financial products and services.

These developments are set to further enhance connectivity, efficiency and innovation in financial services, cementing open banking as a key component of the global financial infrastructure.

Sebastian Malczyk

General Manager, Technology and Product Consultant Fintech, Insurtech, Miquido

GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy

Privacy and data protection have been taken to another level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), forcing fintech companies to tighten their data management. In compliance with the GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is processed fairly, transparently, and securely.

This has led to increased innovation in fintech towards technologies such as encryption and anonymization for data protection. GDPR was described as a top priority in the data protection strategies of 92% of US-based companies surveyed by PwC.

Arid Islam

Financial Expert, Sterlinx Global

Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation

Since the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pioneered sandbox regulatory frameworks in 2016 to enable fintech startups to explore new products and services, similar frameworks have been introduced in other countries.

This has reduced the “crippling effect on innovation” caused by a “one size fits all” regulatory approach, which would also require machines to be built to complete regulatory compliance before any testing. Successful applications within sandboxes give regulators the confidence to move forward and address gaps in laws, regulations, or supervisory approaches. This has led to widespread adoption of new technologies and business models and helped channel private sector dynamism, while keeping consumers protected and imposing appropriate regulatory requirements.

George Blandford

Co-founder, UK Linkology

GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

A big change in financial regulations that has had a real impact on fintech is the 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I have seen how GDPR has pushed us to focus more on user privacy and data security.

GDPR means we have to handle personal data much more carefully. At Leverage, we have had to step up our game to meet these new rules. We have improved our data encryption and started doing regular security audits. It was a little tricky at first, but it has made our systems much more secure.

For example, we’ve added features that give users more control over their data, like simple consent tools and clear privacy notices. These changes have helped us comply with GDPR and made our customers feel more confident in how we handle their information.

I believe that GDPR has made fintech companies, including us at Leverage, more transparent and secure. It has helped build trust with our users, showing them that we take data protection seriously.

Dr. Rhett Stubbendeck

CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning

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M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

FinCrypt Staff

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M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

Application Programming Interface (API) Infrastructure Platform M2P Financial Technology has reached the final round to raise $80 million, at a valuation of $900 million.

Specifically, M2P Fintech, formerly known as Yap, is closing a new funding round involving new and existing investors, according to entrackr.com. The India-based company, which last raised funding two and a half years ago, previously secured $56 million in a round led by Insight Partners, earning a post-money valuation of $650 million.

A source indicated that M2P Fintech is ready to raise $80 million in this new funding round, led by a new investor. Existing backers, including Insight Partners, are also expected to participate. The new funding is expected to go toward enhancing the company’s technology infrastructure and driving growth in domestic and international markets.

What does M2P Fintech do?

M2P Fintech’s API platform enables businesses to provide branded financial services through partnerships with fintech companies while maintaining regulatory compliance. In addition to its operations in India, the company is active in Nepal, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Bahrain, Egypt, and many other countries.

Another source revealed that M2P Fintech’s valuation in this funding round is expected to be between USD 880 million and USD 900 million (post-money). The company has reportedly received a term sheet and the deal is expected to be publicly announced soon. The Tiger Global-backed company has acquired six companies to date, including Goals101, Syntizen, and BSG ITSOFT, to enhance its service offerings.

According to TheKredible, Beenext is the company’s largest shareholder with over 13% ownership, while the co-founders collectively own 34% of the company. Although M2P Fintech has yet to release its FY24 financials, it has reported a significant increase in operating revenue. However, this growth has also been accompanied by a substantial increase in losses.

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Scottish financial technology firm Aveni secures £11m to expand AI offering

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Aveni, Investment Management, AI, NLP, UK

By Gloria Methri

Today

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  • Aveni Assistance
  • Aveni Detection

Artificial intelligence Financial Technology Aveni has announced one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish company this year, amounting to £11 million. The investment is led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Par Equity, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide.

Aveni combines AI expertise with extensive financial services experience to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry. It is trusted by some of the UK’s leading financial services firms. It has seen significant business growth over the past two years through its conformity and productivity solutions, Aveni Detect and Aveni Assist.

This investment will enable Aveni to build on the success of its existing products, further consolidate its presence in the sector and introduce advanced technologies through FinLLM, a large-scale language model specifically for financial services.

FinLLM is being developed in partnership with new investors Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide. It is a large, industry-aligned language model that aims to set the standard for transparent, responsible and ethical adoption of generative AI in UK financial services.

Following the investment, the team developing the FinLLM will be based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, in a state-of-the-art facility.

Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveniexplained, “The financial services industry doesn’t need AI models that can quote Shakespeare; it needs AI models that deliver transparency, trust, and most importantly, fairness. The way to achieve this is to develop small, highly tuned language models, trained on financial services data, and reviewed by financial services experts for specific financial services use cases. Generative AI is the most significant technological evolution of our generation, and we are in the early stages of adoption. This represents a significant opportunity for Aveni and our partners. The goal with FinLLM is to set a new standard for the controlled, responsible, and ethical adoption of generative AI, outperforming all other generic models in our select financial services use cases.”

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